Hobohemians

196Ludmila’s father came through the café looking for Willy. Viktor showed him the paper, and was told how Willy had escaped, breaking open the trunk, stealing the revolver. The father stood up. He must get back to his daughter and see if that revolver was gone. Poor young fellow.

197Heinke and Viktor decided to write to Willy’s unknown parents.

198“He has a very old father. The shock will kill him, unless he is on a turf watching his horses win. He must be very rich.”

199“Perhaps,” suggested Heinke, “we should write to his sister.” A vision of aristocratic blonde English beauty on thoroughbred horse took his mind.

200“No,” said Viktor, “better the father. I may have to go there. I know English quite well.”

201A waiter brought paper and ink. Viktor began jealously, unheeding the suggestions of Heinke:

202“To Respected Papa of Willy Burton—I am sorrow to attract attention to French journal following. I write as greatest friend to inform he was dutiful always in utterances of parents and father. I tried ever to better loneship of Willy from English fireside but he was a too big man to pass the littlesomeness of life which is boring and tragic. He showed ever great understanding for my pictures and brought me in wishes much times to his respected elders, his honoured father and welcome fatherland which always welcome strong artists. My pictures which Willy buy but no money in his trousers he say adaptable for anglo-saxon. When you arrive at Paris I will give reports of your heir. My address.” . . .

203Viktor stopped. “I must have a dictionary.”

204Heinke said: “There is Wiroski. He knows English.”

205Wiroski for a coffee spelt the words Viktor read out. “To whom do you write?” Wiroski enquired politely. Viktor scowled meaningly at Heinke—don’t tell this pig anything, Poles are wretches. Heinke, left out of it, said: “To the parents of the small Englishman.” Wiroski stared. “The young one you drink with?”

206“No, no,” said Viktor.

207Heinke placed trigger finger to left eye. The Pole stared: “When will he do it? Won’t you stop him?”

208Viktor said: “Be off with you. He did it two days ago.”

209Wiroski got up and bowed. “Why is he sitting in the Rotonde then? I saw him as I came through. Well, don’t if you prefer not.”

* * *

210Viktor and Heinke swept through the Rotonde. Willy in one extreme corner smoked a large pipe. He smiled tolerantly. Viktor always made it up first.

211Heinke stared at Willy’s unbloodied head. “We read you had committed suicide,” he reproachfully uttered. “They had it in the Journal.” Willy evenly read the torn-out scrap of paper. Viktor demanded: “Did you go to Tours?”

212“No. I was in the Prefecture for some time, a guest of honour.”

213“We thought you had committed suicide,” said Heinke. “We heard from Ludmila’s father.”

214Willy frowned: “There might have been reasons.”

215“But where were you then? Did you pretend to shoot yourself?”